President Biden Meets with Liberal Lawmakers Opposed to Israeli Prime Minister’s Gaza Campaign
President Joe Biden met with U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and two other prominent liberal lawmakers on Monday to discuss their opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza bombing campaign. The meeting, which took place in the Oval Office, comes as Biden’s support for Israel’s response to the recent Hamas attack has divided Democrats and raised concerns about the unity of his voter base ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
Biden was seen walking into the Oval Office with Ocasio-Cortez, as well as Senators Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey, after returning from an Earth Day event in Virginia. The lawmakers have been vocal critics of Israel’s policies, with Ocasio-Cortez even going as far as describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “an unfolding genocide.”
Despite their differences on this issue, Ocasio-Cortez recently made a case for Biden’s reelection, emphasizing the importance of protecting democracy both domestically and globally. Biden himself praised Ocasio-Cortez’s perspective, stating, “I learned a long time ago to listen to that lady. We’re going to talk more about another part of the world, too.”
The White House and the lawmakers declined to comment on the specifics of the meeting, but earlier in the day, Biden condemned antisemitic protests while also acknowledging the plight of the Palestinians. His administration has maintained support for Israel but has also been increasingly focused on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza escalated after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in casualties on both sides. Human rights advocates have reported a rise in bias and hate incidents against Jews, Arabs, and Muslims, raising concerns as the Jewish holiday of Passover begins.
As tensions continue to mount, Biden’s efforts to navigate this complex issue and maintain unity within his party will be closely watched in the lead-up to the election. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
